R&D Sample & Document Technician

Are you detail-oriented, hands-on, and excited by the idea of helping bring new food products to life? Carolina Ingredients is looking for an energetic R&D Sample & Documentation Technician to join our Research & Development team. In this role, you will support the creation of customer samples, assist with product development projects, maintain accurate sample and ingredient records, and help keep important technical documentation organized and up to date.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced food manufacturing environment, takes pride in accuracy, and likes being part of a collaborative team where no two days are exactly the same. The ideal candidate will be comfortable weighing ingredients, preparing samples, supporting data entry, communicating with cross-functional teams, and following food safety and quality procedures with consistency and care.

If you are organized, dependable, curious about food ingredients, and ready to contribute to innovative seasoning and flavor projects, this role offers the chance to build valuable experience in R&D, regulatory support, sample preparation, and technical documentation.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Follow and support the company’s food safety and quality procedures, GMPs, SOPs, SQF requirements, and report any concerns to management.
• Assist in day-to-day completion of samples for project requests submitted by CII Sales and Staff.
• Follow a formula by accurately weighing out all ingredients on a gram scale and blending according to the procedure for each formula.
• Produce the requested amount of sample, including retain sample, pack securely, and label correctly with formula code, retain number, description, and date produced. 
• Use UPS site for shipping samples – ensure samples go to the correct company/customer contact/location. 
• Monitor accuracy of new production “Red Blends” including “Weigh-offs”.
• Assist in review of ingredient substitutions and replacements. 
• Make finished product samples by coating chips, popcorn, and other items as needed.
• Maintaining Sample Retain Log for samples sent out to customers and internal partners.
• Maintain sample inventory within R&D by keeping ingredient containers filled with fresh ingredients from production inventory. 
  • Ensure proper labeling including product code, description, lot number, and date of expiration.
  • Dispose of expired products and follow procedure for record keeping.
  • Accurately log ingredient items and quantities taken from the partial area and warehouse in accordance with established procedures.
  • Keep ingredients, containers, and shelves orderly by discarding old ingredients, broken containers, etc.
• Effectively communicate with R&D Director, R&D team, QA team, and other cross functional teams on samples, ingredients, and projects.
• Maintain a clean and organized workstation.
• Responsible for managing and maintaining food safety through the facility, within the scope of job responsibilities.
• Assisting Regulatory and Technical team in entering data into company databases, ERP systems, spreadsheets, and electronic records.
• Review data for accuracy, completeness, and consistency, and correct discrepancies.
• Assist with data cleanup, record maintenance, and updates.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Basic knowledge of food ingredients. 
• Working knowledge of R&D processes and safety procedures.
• Ability to work with numerical data, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing. 
• Successfully multi-task
• Work independently and be a self-starter
• Lead ‘best in class’ behaviors with focus on safety, quality, and policy focus.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or G.E.D. with proficiency in basic math calculations and English communication.
  • Preference for some college with focus in culinary, food science, biology, nutrition, or related fields.
• Ability to read, understand and accurately interpret business correspondence, forms, reports, and stand operating procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in written form with proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetic calculations, calculate percentages, verify numerical data for accuracy, and identify discrepancies in records and reports.
• Intermediate computer skills with demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Teams and Excel.
  • Ability to learn Genesis Nutritional Software, and ERP systems such as SAP
• Basic mechanical skills. 

Work Environment: 

• Ability to work in a light to high noise environment.
• Communicate in English to give acknowledgement.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.

Physical Requirements:

• Reaching with hands and arms throughout shift.
• Ability to use hands and fingers.
• Ability to see, hear and talk.
• Employees are frequently required to stand for long periods of time.
• Occasionally required to walk, climb and/or balance.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Not eligible to Relocation